District of Saanich

Saanich flower stand operator Colleen O’Farrell (left) joined Katherine Little (right), the self-proclaimed jam stand lady, in the fight for farm stands in March. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Saanich greenlights farmstands, garden suites after extensive public input

Both unanimous decisions years in the making

Saanich flower stand operator Colleen O’Farrell (left) joined Katherine Little (right), the self-proclaimed jam stand lady, in the fight for farm stands in March. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Saanich police received a report of someone spraypainting hearts in a Tyndall Avenue crosswalk on Sept. 13 and district staff were sent to clean them up. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Graffiti hearts for frontline workers in Saanich crosswalk to be washed away

Police, district respond to crosswalk vandalism

Saanich police received a report of someone spraypainting hearts in a Tyndall Avenue crosswalk on Sept. 13 and district staff were sent to clean them up. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Saanich council will consider a report from Coun. Zac de Vries calling for up to six park shelters to be added across the municipality to extend park-use into the rainy season. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich looks at adding park shelters for safe outdoor socializing during adverse weather

Covered areas would permit safe socializing during ‘endless rain’ season, resident says

Saanich council will consider a report from Coun. Zac de Vries calling for up to six park shelters to be added across the municipality to extend park-use into the rainy season. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich fire Capt. Carl Trepels is reminding residents to be cautious as the forest fire risk in Greater Victoria has been upgraded to ‘extreme’ – as indicated on the sign outside Fire Hall #1. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Greater Victoria forest fire risk upgraded to ‘extreme’

Residents reminded to be cautious with smoking material, avoid all outdoor burning

Saanich fire Capt. Carl Trepels is reminding residents to be cautious as the forest fire risk in Greater Victoria has been upgraded to ‘extreme’ – as indicated on the sign outside Fire Hall #1. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Depending on the severity of the circumstances, an officer may issue an $81 fine under the Motor Vehicle Act for littering or a $575 fine under the B.C. Wildfire Act for the mishandling of a burning substance in or within one kilometre of a forest or grassy area. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Chuck that cigarette butt and face a fine, Vancouver Islanders told

Saanich police say mishandling of burning substance can cost up to $575 under Wildfire Act

Depending on the severity of the circumstances, an officer may issue an $81 fine under the Motor Vehicle Act for littering or a $575 fine under the B.C. Wildfire Act for the mishandling of a burning substance in or within one kilometre of a forest or grassy area. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Saanich Police Department impounded two vehicles after both N-license drivers were believed to be racing while speeding at 110 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. (Twitter/Saanich Police Traffic Safety Unit)

Two drivers get cars impounded after speeding at 110km in rural area: Saanich police

Saanich Police Department completes first tweet-along Saturday night

Saanich Police Department impounded two vehicles after both N-license drivers were believed to be racing while speeding at 110 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. (Twitter/Saanich Police Traffic Safety Unit)
Residents living near the McKenzie Interchange are feeling frustrated after the Ministry of Transportation says safety improvements at the intersection of Esson and Admirals roads aren’t within the scope of the project. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich residents call on province to address McKenzie Interchange safety concerns

Ministry says some desired safety improvements will be addressed by Saanich

Residents living near the McKenzie Interchange are feeling frustrated after the Ministry of Transportation says safety improvements at the intersection of Esson and Admirals roads aren’t within the scope of the project. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Churchill Drive gate just past the parking lot in Mount Douglas Park will be closed over the Labour Day long weekend due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Friends of Mount Douglas Park Society/Twitter)

Mount Douglas Park closed to vehicle traffic over Labour Day long weekend

Churchill Drive gate to close Sept. 5 to 7

The Churchill Drive gate just past the parking lot in Mount Douglas Park will be closed over the Labour Day long weekend due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Friends of Mount Douglas Park Society/Twitter)
A species of jellyfish native to China has been spotted at Killarney Lake in Saanich and a University of British Columbia researcher is studying its impacts on the ecosystem. (Photo courtesy Florian Lueskow)

Freshwater jellyfish native to China spotted in Saanich lake

No health risk to people, pets but effect on ecosystem unclear, researcher says

A species of jellyfish native to China has been spotted at Killarney Lake in Saanich and a University of British Columbia researcher is studying its impacts on the ecosystem. (Photo courtesy Florian Lueskow)
Saanich council members met with representatives from the University of Victoria and Camosu College for a preliminary discussion regarding off-campus student behaviour. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich starts talks with UVic, Camosun about off-campus student housing

Council looks solve parking, rental issues raised at public hearing on unrelated occupancy

Saanich council members met with representatives from the University of Victoria and Camosu College for a preliminary discussion regarding off-campus student behaviour. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich police arrested two men and seized various illicit items during a search on Aug. 28. (Photo courtesy the Saanich Police Department)

Police arrest two men, seize ‘potent’ purple fentanyl from Saanich suite

Loaded gun, cash also among items seized during search

Saanich police arrested two men and seized various illicit items during a search on Aug. 28. (Photo courtesy the Saanich Police Department)
Saanich police were called to a large party with a DJ and more than 100 guests in Gyro Park on Saturday, Aug. 22. (Google Streetview)

Large party with DJ in Gyro Park shut down after call to Saanich police

Many attendees wearing masks, no tickets issued, police say

Saanich police were called to a large party with a DJ and more than 100 guests in Gyro Park on Saturday, Aug. 22. (Google Streetview)
A Facebook user shared a photo of an owl found dead in Oak Bay on Sunday, Aug. 23 – the third known to have died in the region since November 2019 – and advocates suspect rat poison is to blame. (Photo submitted by Fred Haynes)

Third dead owl found in Greater Victoria, Saanich mayor suspects rat poisoning

Barred owl found dead in Oak Bay on Aug. 23

A Facebook user shared a photo of an owl found dead in Oak Bay on Sunday, Aug. 23 – the third known to have died in the region since November 2019 – and advocates suspect rat poison is to blame. (Photo submitted by Fred Haynes)
Swimming lessons resume Aug. 24 at Gordon Head Recreation Centre in Saanich. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich asks users to be swimsuit ready at the door as lessons resume with new safety protocols

Swim classes start Aug. 24 at Gordon Head Recreation Centre

Swimming lessons resume Aug. 24 at Gordon Head Recreation Centre in Saanich. (Black Press Media file photo)
Tactile tiles designed to guide visually impaired pedestrians through crosswalks have been installed at various Saanich intersections including at McKenzie Avenue and Quadra Street. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Textured mats at Saanich intersections guide pedestrians with visual impairments

Yellow ‘tactile tiles’ make crossing busy intersections safer, District says

Tactile tiles designed to guide visually impaired pedestrians through crosswalks have been installed at various Saanich intersections including at McKenzie Avenue and Quadra Street. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Saanich Coun. Ned Taylor pumps up his tires at one of the District’s nine bike-fix-stations. See story on Page A4. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

If your bike can’t take the heat, head down to the kitchen

Saanich’s public bike kitchens make tune-ups easy with free tools, tire pumps

Saanich Coun. Ned Taylor pumps up his tires at one of the District’s nine bike-fix-stations. See story on Page A4. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Saanich council voted in favour of a bylaw guaranteeing each new development will be equipped with electric vehicle charging infrastructure. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Saanich bylaw sparks EV charging infrastructure requirements in new builds

All new developments to be EV-charger compatible starting Sept. 1

Saanich council voted in favour of a bylaw guaranteeing each new development will be equipped with electric vehicle charging infrastructure. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
More than 90 trees were mistakenly cut down behind the Pearkes arena on July 14 as part of the construction of a new Saanich Neighbourhood Place daycare. (Photo submitted by Dorothy Chambers)

Saanich probes removal of more than 50 trees for daycare construction

Saanich Neighbourhood Place hopes to resolve issue, resume work soon, executive director says

More than 90 trees were mistakenly cut down behind the Pearkes arena on July 14 as part of the construction of a new Saanich Neighbourhood Place daycare. (Photo submitted by Dorothy Chambers)
A July 11 fire at Strawberry Vale Elementary caused extensive damage to the roof and entryway. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Electrical fault to blame for fire at Saanich elementary school

Fire department rules out failed janitorial equipment as cause

A July 11 fire at Strawberry Vale Elementary caused extensive damage to the roof and entryway. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
More than 90 trees were mistakenly cut down in Cuthbert Holmes Park on July 14. (Photo submitted by Dorothy Chambers)

More than 50 trees ‘incorrectly’ felled in Saanich park

‘For this to happen is just devastating,’ councillor says

More than 90 trees were mistakenly cut down in Cuthbert Holmes Park on July 14. (Photo submitted by Dorothy Chambers)